Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
The Coronavirus is rapidly spreading in Africa where 35 countries, according to the latest report by World Health Organization (WHO), has confirmed cases of COVID-19. Catholic learning institutions in Kenya have closed down till further notice, as a way of preventing the spread of the virus among students and staff in universities and colleges.
The Vice-Chancellor of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) Very Rev. Prof. Stephen Mbugua Ngari underscored this in a statement dated March 16, 2020. “Following the presidential address, directive and confirmation of three Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Kenya, I hereby inform you that the University Management and Senate has resolved to suspend all on-site learning and non-critical operations at the Langata and Gaba Campuses with immediate effect. The suspension will remain until further directive from the Government.”
The resolution of CUEA management comes three days after the government of Kenya confirmed the first case of COVID-19 in the country following which the President of the Republic, His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta has suspended learning in all institutions across the country to curb the spread of Coronavirus.
Prior to the government’s order for closure of schools, Prof. Mbugua had issued a statement addressed to all teaching staff of the university to prepare online teaching modules in case COVID-19 is detected in Kenya.
“To prepare for the possible need, I hereby direct all teaching staff to develop online teaching modules for all the units they are teaching this semester so that they can be uploaded to the University's academic online platform,” Prof. Mbugua had said in a statement dated Monday, March 9, adding that, “We need to be prepared so that learning may not be interrupted.”
The Vice Chancellor who has worked in CUEA since October 2018 reminded stakeholders that “only critical services at the University will remain operational, supported by minimum staff.”
He added, “With approximately four weeks of teaching remaining before semester examinations period and the need to ensure continuity in learning as per the University calendar, the University is working hard to ensure that lecturers upload class notes and assignments to students via the online platform.”
“We therefore request the lecturers and students to collaborate and ensure the success of this initiative. Further, we appeal to all staff and students in our Lang'ata and Gaba Campuses to be vigilant and take precautionary measures as prescribed by Kenya's Ministry of Health and World Health Organization,” the cleric from Kenya’s Nakuru diocese highlighted.
Meanwhile the management of Kenya-based Tangaza University College, a constituent of CUEA which is jointly owned by approximately 22 Religious congregations also closed on-site classes following the Presidents directive.
“Physical classes are suspended effective from Tuesday 17th March 2020. In their place, virtual classes will take place using google classroom and Moodle platforms until further notice,” the Vice Chancellor (VC) Designate Prof. David Wang’ombe said in a statement addressed to members of Tangaza community.
“Offices will remain closed, however, discretion will be exercised for key services that will be needed” and “all end of semester exams will be done once the University re-opens,” the VC Designatehighlighted in the statement and added, “Resumption of normal university operations will be announced in due course.”
He then asked the stakeholders of the Institute to keep praying asking for God’s intervention that the spread of Coronavirus comes to an end.
“Let us continue praying for a breakthrough in managing this pandemic,” Prof. Wango’mbe concluded.
Kenya has currently recorded seven cases of COVID-19.